Related Early Childhood Sites

- California Early Childhood Mentor Program (CECMP)Mentorship and leadership program that strengthens the early learning & care workforce by connecting experienced professionals with those new to the field
- California Early Childhood Online (CECO)Online learning system offers professional development modules for early childhood educators
- California Early Learning VideosVideo resources demonstrating best practices in early childhood education
- California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN)Provides professional development, instructional support and resources for preschool educators
- CDSS LEAD Office Quality InitiativesProfessional Development and coaching resources to strengthen early childhood program administration
- Child Development Training Consortium (CDTC)Provides services, training, and career advancement resources for early childhood students and professionals
- Family Child Care at Its Best (FCCB)Research-based workshops for family child care providers to improve quality care
- Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL) StrategiesStrategies to support and strengthen multilingual learning and language development for dual languages learners from infancy through preschool in all early learning and care settings
- Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC)Training and resources specifically focused on quality care for infants and toddlers
- All About Young ChildrenTools and resources to support families’ understanding of young children’s development and early learning
- My Child Care PlanTool for families to search and find licensed child care options
- Resource and Referral NetworkHelps connect families find child care and provides support to child care providers. Provides support to child care providers such as training, licensing guidance, and quality improvement
- TrustlineBackground check system for nannies, babysitters, and license- exempt child care providers
- Beginning TogetherResources for inclusive practices supporting children with disabilities and their families
- California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation NetworkSupports mental health and well-being for young children through consultation services, resources and training activities for child care and early education providers in all settings
- California Making Access Possible (MAP) to Inclusion and BelongingProvides a clearinghouse of resources to support the inclusion of young children with disabilities or delays in child care, preschool, or out-of-school time programs
- California Teaching PyramidSystematic framework, training, and resources for supporting social-emotional development and addressing challenging behaviors
- CDSS DLL ResourcesStrategies and tools to support dual language learners and promote multilingual development in early childhood settings
- CDSS Early Learning PublicationsEarly Learning publications and resources from the California Department of Social Services
- CDSS QIS RevisionsUpdates and guidance on California’s Quality Improvement System revisions
- CompSATEarly learning and care self-assessment toolkit that accompanies the ECE Competencies
- Desired Results (DR) Field TrainingStatewide trainings that help early childhood administrators and staff use the Desired Results system and DRDP assessment tool to improve child development outcomes
- Quality Counts California (QCC)California’s quality improvement system (QIS) for early learning programs

Your child from 23–36 Months

Language Development

How do children develop language?

How do children develop language?

Understanding a variety of words and comments, questions, requests, and stories
Using more varied vocabulary
Using longer phrases and asking simple questions
Engaging in back-and-forth conversations with caregivers and other children
Engaging with stories and books, and understanding information from stories and books

Each child develops at their own pace and may show some skills earlier or later than others; the videos provide a few examples of how children may demonstrate these skills and concepts.

When to Seek Support

How does language support children in learning about their world?

Children grow their vocabulary by listening to spoken language or watching signed language. Through paying attention, they strengthen their understanding of many new words, phrases, and sentences.

What ideas are the children communicating about with the caregivers and each other?

Save to Playlist

Descriptive Audio

Foundation 1.1: Being Attentive to Communication

23–36 Months

Additional Videos

Save to Playlist

Descriptive Audio

Foundation 1.2: Understanding Language

23–36 Months

How do children use conversations to build their understanding and relationships?

Children learn to engage in conversations by using vocabulary about various topics and by responding to a familiar person about the same topic.

What are the topics of the conversations, and how much back-and-forth communication do you notice?

Save to Playlist

Descriptive Audio

Foundation 2.1: Communicating and Speaking

23–36 Months

Additional Videos

Save to Playlist

Descriptive Audio

Foundation 2.2: Emerging Conversation Skills

23–36 Months

How do children connect books and stories to their own experiences?

Children show their connections with books and stories by watching, listening, asking questions, and making comments. Children express a basic understanding of the main idea or subject of a story or book they experienced many times.

How do the children express a connection to and interest in the books and songs?

Save to Playlist

Descriptive Audio

Foundation 3.1: Engagement With Books, Stories, Songs, and Rhymes

23–36 Months

Additional Videos

Save to Playlist

Descriptive Audio

Foundation 3.2: Understanding Meaning From Books and Stories

23–36 Months

Select a different age period within the domain Language Development

What else is your child learning from 23–36 months?

Additional Resources

When to Seek Support

Infant–Toddler Videos